Big tech occupiers in Montreal typically cluster in Mile-Ex & Marconi, plan ~160 sqft per seat at high-end fit-out ($145–215/sqft), and pay around 38 CAD/sqft ($28 USD) on Class A.

• Preferred submarket: Mile-Ex & Marconi.
• Typical fit-out spec: High-end ($145–215/sqft).
• Plan ~160 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
• Class A rent context: 38 CAD/sqft ($28 USD).
• Typical lease: 10 years with 12 months rent-free.
• Talent depth in Montreal: 86/100.

TL;DR

• Preferred submarket: Mile-Ex & Marconi.
• Typical fit-out spec: High-end ($145–215/sqft).
• Plan ~160 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
• Class A rent context: 38 CAD/sqft ($28 USD).
• Typical lease: 10 years with 12 months rent-free.
• Talent depth in Montreal: 86/100.

Where they cluster

Big tech occupiers in Montreal typically anchor in Mile-Ex & Marconi. AI research, tech, creative agencies, video games.

What they pay

Class A rent in Montreal runs 38 CAD/sqft ($28 USD) on a 10-year lease with 12 months free. Prime submarkets sit at or modestly above the city index.

Spec and fit-out

Typical big tech fit-out targets high-end specification at $145–215/sqft. Branded reception, full client-facing programming, premium furniture, and specialist AV are standard.

Headcount sizing

Plan around 160 sqft per seat blended (workstation + circulation + amenity). A 100-headcount big tech office in Montreal typically targets 16,000 sqft of leasable area.

Talent angle

Engineering campuses gravitate to creative-class submarkets adjacent to public transit, universities, and dense talent housing. Deepest French-English bilingual professional talent in North America. Structural AI research cluster (Yoshua Bengio at MILA, Element AI alumni). Strong aerospace, video games, and creative industries talent.

Tax and lease context

Headline corporate tax: 26.5%. Net leases (tenant pays opex separately). 10-year terms standard. Free rent of 10-14 months and TI of C$60-$100/sqft typical on a 10-year Class A deal.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

Where do big tech occupiers lease office space in Montreal?

Most cluster in Mile-Ex & Marconi. Rent runs ~38 CAD/sqft ($28 USD) for trophy and prime stock.

What fit-out spec do big tech occupiers run in Montreal?

Typically high-end at $145–215/sqft.

How much office space per seat should a big tech occupier plan in Montreal?

Plan ~160 sqft per seat blended. A 100-person team typically takes 16,000 sqft.

What NAICS codes describe the big tech vertical?

Representative NAICS 2022 codes: 518210, 541511, 541512.

What is the talent index in Montreal?

86/100. Use the city profile for full detail.

Related

• Big tech — global overview
• Montreal — full city profile
• Financial services in Montreal
• Asset management in Montreal
• Investment banking in Montreal
• Legal services in Montreal

Editorial provenance

Reviewed by Miriam Hollander — Lead market analyst. Last updated 2026-04-15. See our methodology and editorial standards.

Primary sources for this page

• CBRE Marketview reports — CBRE
• JLL Office Insight — JLL
• Cushman & Wakefield Marketbeat — Cushman & Wakefield
• Savills World Research — Savills
• Colliers Global Office Outlook — Colliers

Full sources index · Submit a correction

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